An investigation into the effect of prior learning experienes on later learning

Purpose of the study: This study aimed to investigate the effect of prior learning experienes on later learning(The role of previous experience in the transfer of learning) by comparing Maze learning speed in mice with and without Maze experiences.
The research project used an experimental design (post-test design with a control group). The study consisted of a sample of 14 rats that were studied in two groups of 7 each (experimental and control). The experiment was conducted in two phases: In the first phase, the experimental groups’ rats gained learning experiences in Mazes 1 to 8, while the control group did not experience these 8 Mazes. In the second phase, both experimental and control groups started gaining experience in Mazes 9 to 12. Then, the learning speed (reduction of errors to reach the goal) in both experimental and control group was compared in Mazes 9 to 12.
The results showed that the mice with learning experience had higher learning speed than the mice without learning experience, and with the increase in Maze experiences, new Mazes were learned with fewer errors.
The results showed that having a prior experience with a situation or a stimulant, tends to affect performance and learning transfer in new situations. So that will facilitate learning and transfer speed of learning in new situations.